Changes in the scotopic vision of juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) with growth

Abstract

In cultured juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis), reducing the mass deaths caused by collision or contact with tank or net walls at night is a priority for seedling production. Pacific bluefin tuna is a visually dependant species, although its scotopic vision is poor. We recorded electroretinograms to investigate the visual function with growth in the dark-adapted eyes of juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna. Peak wavelengths of spectral sensitivity [38-62 days posthatch (dph), 77-167 mm standard length (SL)] were observed between 474 and 494 nm. Visual light sensitivity has a tendency to increase slightly with growth at 28-64 dph in individuals that measured 29-175 mm SL. However, visual temporal resolution did not significantly increase with growth at 38-62 days dph in individuals that measured 77-167 mm SL. These results suggest that the mass death continues between 28 and 64 dph because of low visual function and increasing swimming speed with growth.